Shirley Mae (Smith) Argenbright

She was the Daughter of the late John B. & Louise J. Smith, beloved Wife of the late Robert (Bob/Augie) Argenbright, Sister of the late Margaret Boldowsky, Floyd Smith, Myrtle Whanger, Henry Smith, Robert Smith, Jacqueline Simmons and Cyrus Smith, beloved Mother of Daughters Sheila Corbitt and Husband Jeffrey Corbitt and Cynthia Bocek and Husband Ronald Bocek. Grandmother of Matthew and Brad Bocek and Great Grandmother of Karli & Cameron.

Shirley was born a country girl in Covington, Virginia. Her father was a blacksmith/farmer and with Shirley the 7th of 10 children, her Mom a homemaker. Both parents were strong and loving. Her family was very close and full of laughter and love. In 1952 Shirley fell in love with Bobby Argenbright, a handsome musician from Buena Vista, Virginia and they ran away to Sparrows Point/ Edgemere, Maryland at the age of 17 & 21, to be married and live near her siblings. Late that year they had their first daughter, Sheila. Shirley & Bob both worked at Bethlehem Steel. Shirley a steel worker and Bob an Electrician at the Ship Yard. In 1954 they gave birth to a second daughter, Cynthia. Shirley lived a full life as a full time working Mom keeping busy with the girls and their many hobbies. She was a great country cook too. She stayed busy in her off time from work running to her daughter’s parades, sporting events and other hobbies. She was extremely close to her 7 other siblings and they got together all the time with lots of laughs and fun. Being the wife of a musician she enjoyed cooking and entertaining friends, decorating for holidays and dressing up for Bob’s club performances. She was always caring and putting others before herself. She left Bethlehem Steel after 18 years and started working at National Can for another 20 years. She enjoyed the early years as a Grandmother. In 2000 Shirley finally retired from work and she and Bob bought land and built a custom home in Lynchburg, VA in the country doing most of the construction and work themselves. After a few years, and too much lonely country living, they moved closer to family to the town of Buena Vista, VA to care for family. They loved visiting nursing homes to cheer patients up in their spare time. They enjoyed many years there until Bob became ill and needed to move back to Ellicott City, MD to be closer to their Daughter & caregiver. Shirley’s loving husband of 59 years passed shortly after in October, 2010. Shirley lived independently for 13 more happy years in her Ellicott City condo surrounded by fabulous neighbor friends and family. She was a very happy, funny lady full of life and very patriotic. She was known for her crazy laugh and beautiful smile and no one was a stranger to her. She was a girly girl and was obsessed with earrings and changing the holiday decorations in her pretty condo monthly. She developed COPD from all the chemicals and asbestos she was exposed to in the Steel industry and factories. Shirley was incredibly strong and determined and doctors were amazed at how hard she fought her illnesses for so many years. Even after losing her mobility, she had so much joy talking to all her favorite nieces and nephews and longtime friends on the phone daily. She is now reunited with her husband and family in heaven and no longer in pain. A long life well lived and filled with love and laughter.

A visitation & celebration for Shirley will be held Thursday, December 15, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Sterling-Ashton-Schwab-Witzke Funeral Home of Catonsville, Inc., 1630 Edmondson Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228.

Most important, a “Celebration of her Life” will take place between 3:30-4:30 PM – December 15th, and we hope you can join us. We will also be serving appetizers, desserts and refreshments in an adjoining room from 3:00-5:00.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to “Smile Train” or your personal favorite charity.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sterlingashtonschwabwitzke.com for the Argenbright family.

The family will be forever grateful to the amazing, professional and loving Doctors and Nurses from J Home, Johns Hopkins Home Based Medicine cared for Shirley in her home over the last two years. She always felt safe and protected in their care and looked forward to every visit by all of them.

Our thanks are also to the amazing staff at Gilchrist Hospice in Columbia, MD who made Shirley’s final couple of days peaceful and painless. Everyone in both organizations are absolute Angels that we will always hold dear to our hearts. With endless gratitude from Shirley’s Family.